Successful season for Dundrum’s cricketers

16 October 2024

THE 2024 season provided mixed fortunes for Dundrum Cricket Club.

Persistent rain over the winter delayed the start by two weeks, but after excellent work by Dundrum ground staff no cricket was missed at Dundrum for the remainder of the season.

The men’s first XI had an excellent season, finishing third in Section 2 and narrowly missing out on promotion, while also reaching the quarter-finals of the T20 Cup and Junior Cup.

Captain Gavin McNerlin did an excellent job with his young side, putting in consistent performances throughout the season. Stuart Campbell ended the season as the leading run scorer for the team with over 450 runs while Scott Symington finished as leading wicket taker with 30 wickets.

Wicketkeeper Phil Jenkins won the player of the season award after several key batting performances over the course of the season.

Several younger players were handed debuts over the season with Andrew Campbell, James Wright, Matthew Douglas, Noah Stafford and Caleb Armstrong all putting in excellent performances.

The aim for next season is to continue developing the younger players while hopefully pushing towards winning some overdue silverware. With the experience of McNerlin, Symington, Jenkins and Campbell, combined with the youthful flair, there is no reason they cannot have a successful 2025.

The men’s second XI had a difficult season as they were relegated from Junior 4. However, after three straight promotions, it was always going to be a struggle for them.

The highlight of the season was an excellent one-wicket victory over Instonians. With Dundrum in trouble at 80 for 9 chasing 125 Jack Martin and Jocelyn Wright managed to see Dundrum home to a famous victory.

There were notable performances throughout the squad. Captain Davy Glover led from the front with the bat, scoring over 400 runs, which included a magnificent century against Cooke Collegians.

Young player Thomas Macauley made his debut and excelled by taking 16 wickets across the season and finishing as the team’s leading wicket taker. There is no doubt the team will bounce back next season with new young players expected to make their debut.

The men’s third XI , like the firsts, had an excellent season and narrowly missed out on promotion, finishing in second position.

Captain Keba Butler led from the front and was the leading run scorer for the entire league. Dave Crudgington and James Orr finished as joint leading wicket takers.

The highlight of the season was an excellent three-wicket victory away to Bangor when the team only travelled with nine players. Butler handed debuts to several young players who all stepped up to put in match-winning performances.

With the growing popularity of the club’s women section, Dundrum entered a second XI for the first time this season.

They won their opening game at home to Drumaness Superkings and Jayne Herdman leading the team fantastically all season. Jayne was well supported by Sarah Herron, Emma Lowey, Beth Herron, Holly Herron and Beth McVeigh.

The women’s first XI had a transitional season with several players unavailable, which provided an opportunity to blood several new players. The young team performed admirably, putting in excellent performances all season against more experienced teams.

Niamh Lowry continued her stellar rise, finishing as leading run scorer for the league with over 250 runs (averaging 229). Rachel Hodge finished as the leading wicket taker to cap off an excellent individual season.

The club is planning on starting an U-13 girls team next season to help bring through the next star players.

The junior section had a good season with the U-13s, U-15s and U-17s all having games throughout the season.

The U-17s had an excellent victory at home to Premier League side Lisburn with Luke Stafford finishing 35 not out to seal the famous win.

One of the biggest problems is finding teams willing to travel to Dundrum for midweek matches. Apart from Saintfield and Drumaness there are no other local junior cricket teams with the next closest teams situated in Belfast or Armagh.

This is a major question the NCU will need to address to ensure that junior cricket in the South Down area is not affected. Dundrum are continuing to improve and develop their junior section to ensure all young players are given fantastic opportunities.

Several of the Dundrum juniors have been representing and training with the interprovincial teams this season.

Caleb Armstrong, Noah Stafford and James Wright have all been playing and training for the NCU boys teams, while Niamh Lowry and Joscelyn Wright have been playing for the NCU U-17 girls. Niamh hit a fantastic 80 not out against North West U-17s.

Joscelyn Wright has also had a fantastic season, making her debut for both the NCU senior women’s team and the Ireland U-17s on their tour of England. It is evident Dundrum is continuing to produce high quality cricket players.

The club welcomed back the Downshire Cup match again this season with Dundrum coming out on top to bring back the cup to Dundrum.

The recent return of the Downshire family to Dundrum inspired Dundrum Cricket Club to hold a friendly Twenty 20 match between the club and a Marquess of Downshire select team.

Dundrum finished the first innings on a par score of 135 for 7 from their 20 overs. The Downshire team were eventually bowled out for 106 to leave Dundrum victorious by 29 runs. No doubt the Downshire team will be out for revenge next season.

The club also hosted their first ever family fun day and duck race to race money for the club at the end of August. After the success of the event the club aims to make this an annual event for the local community.

Overall, it has been another successful season for Dundrum who will be looking to push on next season. With some of the best facilities and young players in the area there is no reason Dundrum will not be challenging on multiple fronts next season.

The club will be holding their AGM in the pavilion on Monday, November 4, at 7.30pm.

Tweets by @TheDownRecorder